Nissan is slowly turning the old Datsun brand into its own version of Dacia with another budget car being launched today, this time aimed squarely at Russian consumers.
Making its debut today at the Moscow International Motor Show, the Datsun mi-DO is a budget hatchback, the sister model to the on-DO sedan. The company describes this car as having a "strong masculine appearance: modern, robust and confident", although we think it's more like an a bad photoshop job.
That's because the mi-Do is probably not an all-new car. Datsun's Russian models are not the same as the ones made in India, instead using Lada components. The on-DO sedan is based on 2012 Lada Granta, while this hatchback is based on the Kalina launched last September. You can clearly see this in the design of the B and C pillars, or the wing mirrors.
The same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 87 hp powers both Datsun models, although the newer one can be ordered not only with a manual, but also an automatic.
Production will begin in December at the Togliatti factory, with sales to scheduled for January 2015. Pricing information will be announced at a later date.
“The Datsun concept of offering a new car from a foreign maker at a highly affordable price has struck a chord with Russian car buyers,” said Vincent Cobee, Global Head of Datsun.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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